Chapter 734
“Really? If… If one day you discover that I’ve harmed you, will you refuse to forgive me even if I beg for your forgiveness?” His words emerged with difficulty, each syllable sounding strained as if they were forced from his throat.
Rosalie turned to face the man before her, her expression tinged with confusion. “Jon, what’s bothering you?” She noted, “I’ve noticed that you’ve been particularly uneasy lately.”
Jonathan fell into silence for a moment. “Uneasy… Yes, I am uneasy,” he confessed internally.
The recent events involving Amelia and Warren had left Jonathan feeling restless and fearful that they might encounter a similar fate.
“If my words made you uneasy just now, I can explain. I thought of Zachary because of Amelia’s comments. You don’t need to dwell on it. How could you ever harm me? Besides…” Rosalie’s voice trailed off as she lifted her hand, gently caressing his troubled eyes. “Didn’t we promise each other before? If, in the future, you cry in front of me, I will forgive you for everything.”
At this moment, Rosalie intentionally spoke these words to lighten the atmosphere and dispel the darkness in his eyes.
It worked as expected. After he heard her assurance, Jonathan’s eyes brightened slightly, and the heaviness in them seemed to gradually dissipate.
“Still, my feelings for you will never waver. No matter what the future holds, they will remain steadfast.” He took her right hand and placed it over his heart, emphasizing his sincerity. “So, you must also promise me that your love for me will remain unwavering!”
Rosalie blinked, recognizing that feelings were subject to change. Today, she held this sentiment, but now Jonathan was insisting she make a promise that her feelings would remain constant.
Her past relationship with Zachary had long been erased by time and pain. Now, her heart was filled with Jonathan alone, and her feelings for him… “They will never change. My feelings for you will never change, Jon,” she affirmed solemnly, her hand resting on his chest to feel his heartbeat, which seemed unusually fast.
Perhaps, in this world, there were feelings that could change and those that wouldn’t.
In the middle of the night, Jonathan’s phone rang, startling Rosalie awake. She opened her eyes in a daze and watched as he listened to the caller with a serious expression. After a while, he said, “I understand. I’m on my way.”
for
In the next moment, putting away his phone, he turned to Rosalie. “I’m sorry the disturbance. Go back to sleep. I need to go out now.”
1/3
09:55 D
“Where are you going?” she inquired urgently.
Considering the late hour, the fact that he had to leave at this time indicated that the phone call had brought unusual news.
Jonathan hesitated briefly before explaining, “I’m afraid Grandpa can’t hold on any longer. I need to see him one last time.”
Rosalie was taken aback. While she knew Leonard’s health had been deteriorating and he might not have much time left, the sudden realization that he might be nearing the end was shocking.
The man who had raised Jonathan was about to leave this world?
For a moment, Rosalie couldn’t quite describe the mix of emotions she felt.
“I’ll go with you,” she insisted.
“There’s no need. I’ll go alone,” Jonathan replied.
“I’m coming with you!” she insisted again. “He’s your grandfather, and even if he hasn’t been fond of me, I’m still his granddaughter-in-law. If he doesn’t want to see me when we’re there, I can wait for you outside.”
Unable to resist her determination, Jonathan finally agreed.
Together, they made their way to the hospital.
Upon arrival, Jonathan instructed his bodyguards to stand guard near Rosalie and entered the ward by himself.
In the hospital ward, Leonard, emaciated and frail, lay on the pristine white hospital bed. The once-powerful man was now approaching the end of his life in such a vulnerable state.
Clearly, he was putting up a fierce struggle to hold on. When he saw Jonathan enter, he spoke with trembling words, “Y-You’re here…”
“Yes, I’m here,” Jonathan replied.
Between Leonard and Jonathan, their relationship wasn’t one filled with affection. It could be described as that of a mentor and a protege.
Proteges could be cast aside at any moment, much like chess pieces. If they proved useful, they would stay on the board; if they became useless, they would be discarded and abandoned.
“In the future… the Youngblood family will be in your hands… If you let the Youngblood family fall, I will never forgive you, even in death,” Leonard managed to say amidst labored breathing.
“Is that all you have to say to me?” Jonathan stared at the elderly man and responded.
Leonard’s clouded eyes shifted. “Rosalie… that girl… She’s waiting outside, isn’t she? L-Let her in.”
Jonathan’s eyes narrowed suddenly, “Don’t lay a finger on her!”
2/3
09:55 D
“Even if I wanted to… I doubt I could. You’ve… probably stationed many of your men outside,” Leonard remarked. After all, Jonathan was the heir he had painstakingly groomed. He was well aware of how his grandson operated. Jonathan pursed his lips and said nothing, appearing hesitant.
“I just… have a few words… to tell her…” Leonard struggled to speak, his breathing growing louder as if he were nearing the end of his life, fighting for his last
moments.
Finally, Jonathan left the ward. After a brief absence, he returned, holding Rosalie’s hand.
Rosalie was visibly pregnant, and she looked at Leonard lying on the hospital bed, clearly in the final stages of his life.
In the past, this imposing old man had filled her with fear. He had been so unapproachable that she found him intimidating. But now, he lay there so weakly, his only endeavor being to cling to his dwindling breath.
“Grandpa, you’re Jon’s grandfather. I’m Jon’s wife now, so I’ll also address you as Grandpa. But if you prefer Mr. Youngblood, I can call you that too.” Rosalie took the initiative to speak first.
Leonard, however, seemed unconcerned with the form of address. He simply said, “Do you… love Jonathan?”
“I do,” she replied without hesitation.
Meanwhile, Jonathan had been holding onto Rosalie’s hand since the moment they entered the ward.
“Then… let’s make a bet… Let’s bet if you truly love Jonathan so much…” Leonard spoke in fragments.
“A bet?” Rosalie was puzzled but then stated, “I don’t believe my love for Jon needs to be proven through gambling. I love him. He and I both know it. That’s enough.”
“You know? You… know nothing at all. You…”
“Grandpa!” Jonathan intervened abruptly, “I love Rosalie. She’s the only woman I love in this life, and she will be the sole lady of the household when the Youngblood family is under my control. There will be no other woman!”
